Watch Case Vacuum Sealing via Flexible Envelope Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for placing a watch case under a protected atmosphere, such as vacuum, require specific arrangements in the watch case or complex operations under a controlled atmosphere, making them expensive and difficult to produce, and not applicable to all waterproof watch cases.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the installation of a watch case in a housing with holding and guide means, introduction into a flexible envelope, pressure reduction in a protected atmosphere device, sealing, and external actuation to close the case without needing special watch case arrangements or complex operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specific arrangements in the watch case (such as a valve) are used for placing under vacuum, then the watch case can be placed under protected atmosphere, but the device complexity increases and not all waterproof watch cases can be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality and reliability of the watch movementVSAvoidspecific arrangements in the watch case

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The process is divided into distinct stages: placing the open watch case in the vacuum envelope, sealing the envelope, evacuating the atmosphere, then closing the case and finally opening the envelope. This segmentation allows each operation to be performed independently without requiring special watch case features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible vacuum envelope serves as an intermediary medium that temporarily contains the watch case during the vacuum treatment. The envelope is sealed around the open case, allowing vacuum to be applied without requiring the case itself to have vacuum-compatible features like valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex operations such as casing and screwing the case back are performed under controlled atmosphere, then the watch can be placed under protected atmosphere, but the manufacturing cost increases and the process becomes more difficult to produce

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of movement componentsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and production difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The watch case is placed in the vacuum envelope and the envelope is sealed before the vacuum is applied. This preliminary arrangement allows subsequent operations to be performed at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for expensive controlled atmosphere equipment while still achieving the protective vacuum environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the watch case under controlled atmosphere and then performing operations, the method inverts the sequence: the case is placed in a vacuum envelope at atmospheric pressure, the envelope is sealed and evacuated, and only then are the final closing operations performed. This reversal eliminates the need for expensive controlled atmosphere chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If the watch case is placed under atmospheric pressure, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but oxidation and wear of movement components occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of manufacturing processVSAvoidoxidation and wear of movement components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vacuum environment is created around the watch case using a sealed flexible envelope. This vacuum atmosphere eliminates oxygen and moisture that would cause oxidation and wear, while allowing the case to be handled and closed at atmospheric pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method allows for the placement of watch cases under a protected atmosphere without specific equipment or complex operations, reducing manufacturing costs and being applicable to all waterproof cases, while maintaining the pressure reduction benefits.

Implementation Method 1

decrease in pressure in the protected atmosphere device; The filling is introduced into a flexible envelope (50) which is subsequently placed in the enclosure of a device for placing under a controlled atmosphere or for placing under vacuum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2788824B1Procede de mise sous atmoshere protegee d'une boite de montre

Publication Date: 2018.08.08 CARTIER INTERNATIONAL AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for placing a watch case (5) and the movement thereof under protective atmosphere, comprising the following steps: installing the watch case, which is not fully closed, in the housing (2) of a fitting (1) comprising watch retaining means (3) and means (4, 13) for guiding an actuator (7, 12) that acts on part of the case; introducing the fitting (1) into a flexible pouch (10); installing the fitting (1) in the open pouch (10) in a protective atmosphere device; reducing the pressure in the protective atmosphere device; sealing the pouch (10) containing the fitting (1); exacting the fitting (1) in the sealed pouch (10) from the protective atmosphere device; closing the watch case by acting on the actuator (7, 12) from outside the pouch (10) so that it moves part of the watch along the guide means (4, 13) in order to close the watch; and opening the pouch (10) and separating the actuator (7, 12) from the part of the case on which it is acting.